What specific environmental enrichment activities are employed at Safe Haven?

Environmental enrichment is built into the design and furnishing of our animal enclosures. These include:

• Caging for permanent residents is made of large mesh, allowing for a high level of visual, auditory and tactile interaction with the environment outside the enclosure.
• All large animal housing is outdoors and features natural, dappled sunlight, shade and flooring.
• All outdoor housing is subject to seasonal variation in ambient temperature, with supplementary den heating provided when needed.
• Outdoor caging also includes wood/foraging piles.

Many captive animal enrichment activities center on foraging and hunting behaviors, such as:

• Gelatin “blood jigglers,” which wiggle and move in a manner similar to live prey. These are periodically provided to our cats and foxes.
• “Bloodsicles” are provided in warm weather, while trying to catch floating bloodsicles in a tub of water mimics the act of hunting.
• Scented boughs are sprayed with essential oils such as rosemary or pine, and are then positioned to hang within the cage. Although scented boughs are used for olfactory stimulation, our bigger cat residents will eat the leaves. We also incorporate special treats within digging beds, forage piles, piñatas and specially constructed cubes made from old fire hose.
• Punctured cardboard tubes and paper bags are filled with dried herbs and sprayed with oils.
• Water mixed with essential oils, such as rosemary, pine, orange, vanilla, wintergreen or peppermint, is sprayed in a variety of places within the animal’s enclosure.